Energy Supplement

Purpose of payment

The Energy Supplement provides assistance with household expenses, including energy costs to pensioners and income support recipients, Family Tax Benefit recipients, and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders. From 20 September 2016, the Energy Supplement is closed to new Family Tax Benefit recipients and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders. Grandfathering arrangements permit an individual or an Approved Care Organisation with entitlement to Family Tax Benefit on 19 September 2016 to continue to receive the Energy Supplement.

Eligibility

Pensioners and income support recipients receive the Energy Supplement fortnightly with their regular payment, or they can choose to receive it quarterly, in arrears. Family Tax Benefit recipients receive the Energy Supplement fortnightly if they receive their family payment fortnightly, or they can choose to receive it quarterly in arrears. If they receive Family Tax Benefit annually they will receive their Energy Supplement on an annual basis. Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders receive the Energy Supplement quarterly in arrears.